Russians have been warned about the need for inspection. People are concerned about what exactly could go wrong, what the consequences of inaction might be, how to properly check, and when to call a specialist.
The main thing a lot of people miss is checking not just the radiators themselves for leaks, but also the pipe joints where they connect to the wall or floor - that's where rust tends to build up and microcracks form. If you've noticed drips, moisture stains, or strange noises in the pipes before the season starts, that's a good reason to call a technician, because in winter problems just get worse because of the pressure spikes in the heating system.
The urgency here is a bit overstated - it's not about some emergency call in the middle of the night, but about routine maintenance that's best done in autumn, before the heating season starts. Batteries and pipes really do need attention, but more from a preventive standpoint.
The main issue is that over time, rust, air pockets, and sediment accumulate in heating systems, which reduces heat output. Radiators start heating unevenly or stop working altogether on lower floors. Pipes can rust from the inside, corrosion develops, tiny cracks appear, and eventually this leads to leaks. If your apartment floods your downstairs neighbors - then it all goes through courts and insurance claims, which is expensive and takes forever. Plus, sometimes the system can freeze in an unheated part of the building or in the basement, and then the entire riser stops working.
The check itself is simple: turn on your radiator around September-October and touch it at the bottom and top - it should be hot everywhere. If the top is cold, there's air in there and you need to bleed it through the Mayevsky valve. Look under the sink at the visible pipes - any leaks, rust stains, white buildup. If the radiators are cold, leaking, or you hear weird sounds in the pipes when the heating kicks on - call a technician. You can only bleed the air yourself; everything else is better left to a pro.
Fall and the start of the heating season is when radiators and pipes experience maximum stress, and that's exactly when hidden problems often surface. If you don't check ahead of time, you could find yourself without heat in the middle of winter when it's freezing outside, or deal with a flooded apartment. The consequences can be serious: anything from having to pay for your downstairs neighbor's repairs to completely replacing a section of piping.
When checking, a lot of people forget about the trickiest issue - condensation. Even if the radiator and pipes look intact, moisture can accumulate on them, which speeds up rust from the inside. A radiator can quietly deteriorate for months and you won't notice anything until there's a leak. So you need to do more than just look it over - actually feel all the pipes with your hands, look for leaks under the radiators, check for wet spots on the walls or floor.
You should call a specialist if you see rust stains, hear weird sounds when you turn the faucets on, or if the radiator is heating unevenly - that could mean air pockets, which also lead to breakdowns. Don't skimp on preventive maintenance - calling a specialist in time will cost way less than replacing radiators or tracking down the cause of a leak later.
The easiest way to start is with a visual inspection - check for leaks, rust stains or moisture under the radiators and along the pipes, especially in corners and bends. A couple of years ago I noticed a strange stain on the ceiling under my upstairs neighbor's radiator, at first it seemed like nothing, but then I found out they had a pipe burst right inside the wall - they had to break it open and replace the whole section, and the neighbors almost flooded several apartments. After that I check my radiators at least once a season, and if you spot anything suspicious or hear strange noises in the pipes - call a plumber right away, don't wait.
Log into answer.
